Three teens have been shot in the last week. City leaders are reaching out to business leaders to help stop the violence.

The latest shooting was reported Tuesday night in the Oakridge Neighborhood. Ameisha Heard, 19, was shot in the head and is listed in critical condition at a hospital.

"It's getting worse. We had shooting in winter time, shot and killed, nobody want to listen," said Mildred Coplen, Heard's friend.

Coplen and others are brainstorming how to combat the deadly violence expected to escalate this summer as gangs are getting a foothold here.

Earlier this week, a man wanted for a murder in Chicago was found in Des Moines.

"The guy killed someone in Chicago, you find them in Des Moines. You ain't seen nothing, yet," said Wayne Ford of Urban Dreams.

Ford is calling on local businesses like G&L Clothing and Jethro's trying to raise $2 million for educational programs to help at risk youth.

"You teach young people how to work, teach them hope, good jobs -- if they work hard. Without that hope there's nothing," said Jim Marcovis of G&L Clothing.

"We are working with police and community leaders to ensure we have a safe summer," said Bruce Gerleman of Jethro's.

Urban Dreams and Creative Visions said they can't do it alone, and warn if we don't break the cycle of violence it will eventually impact all of Des Moines.

"We're in competition with individuals that draw young people into negative behavior," said Ako Abdul Samad. "We can't save everybody, but we can provide a resource when one makes to change that resource is there."